The Dartmouth College men's basketball team has made history by becoming the first college athlete union, potentially disrupting the NCAA's current model. The players sought unionization to address financial challenges and advocate for their rights as student-athletes.
Dartmouth College Men's Basketball Team Votes to Become First College Athlete Union
( Credit to: Nbcnews )
In a historic move, the Dartmouth College men's basketball team has voted 13-2 to become the first labor union for college athletes. This decision could potentially disrupt the current model of the NCAA, which only allows college athletes to benefit financially through their names, images, and likenesses.
( Credit to: Nbcnews )
The push for unionization began with players Cade Haskins and Romeo Myrthil, who initiated a petition in September. They expressed their joy at the results of the election in a statement, emphasizing that as students, they can also be both campus workers and union members. They believe it is time for the age of amateurism to come to an end.
The players explained that they had to take on campus jobs to support themselves financially while being student-athletes, as they do not receive any benefits or stipends despite their full-time commitment to their sport.
The Dartmouth team has chosen to join SEIU Local 560, which represents service employees in Hanover, New Hampshire. The union's local and international presidents congratulated the team on their vote, recognizing the significance of this milestone. SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry stated that this victory is not just about sports but about people who need a union finally getting one.
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) played a crucial role in facilitating the union vote. Regional Director Laura Sacks ordered the election for the team on February 5, stating that the players are employees within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. Dartmouth University appealed the ruling, arguing that the athletes are students first and athletes second, participating in college basketball to further their educational aims. However, the NLRB denied the motion.
Critics of the current system argue that classifying college athletes as regular students is a mockery, as it ignores the significant revenue colleges generate from television contracts, marketing rights, and ticket sales. Cornell University sports law professor Michael L. Huyghue believes that universities should not have the right to capitalize on this revenue while neglecting the well-being of their athletes.
Dartmouth still has the opportunity to file an objection to the union election within the next five days. The university released a statement asserting that unionization is not appropriate for their players, as they should not be classified as employees solely based on their participation in basketball. They maintain that academics are of primary importance for Ivy League students who are varsity athletes, with athletic pursuits being part of the educational experience.
Helen Drew, a professor of sports law at the University of Buffalo, argues that there is a significant divide between college athletes and their peers in terms of workload. Many Division I athletes experience anxiety, depression, and unhappiness due to the demands placed on them. She believes that empowering athletes to have a better place is crucial.
This is not the first time a college athletics team has sought recognition as employees. In 2014, Northwestern University's football team also pursued union status from the NLRB. However, the ballots were destroyed as the NLRB ruled that mixing union and nonunion teams could create competitive imbalances. Critics argue that this overlooks the existing imbalances in resources and competition between universities.
Experts like Drew and Huyghue predict that student-athletes at other colleges, particularly within the Ivy League, will follow Dartmouth's lead and petition for unionization. This historic vote sets a precedent and may mark the beginning of significant changes within college athletics.